Privacy Preserving Record Linkage (PPRL): Coming Soon to the Virtual Pooled Registry

By Castine Clerkin, MS, CTR | November 10, 2025

The current Virtual Pooled Registry (VPR) workflow requires registries to download an encrypted study data file and perform a clear-text linkage using Personally Identifiable Information (PII). To broaden the scope, and enhance the security of the VPR, NCI has encouraged a transition to Privacy Preserving Record Linkage (PPRL). What is PPRL? PPRL is a technique…

NCCR Fall Feature

By Fernanda Michels | November 3, 2025

The NCCR Fall Feature highlights key advancements and initiatives within the NCCR community, including highlights on the inaugural Data Jamboree, new study on clinical trial enrollment disparity using NCCR data, recent updates to NCCR*Explorer and SEER*Stat tools, and important upcoming deadline for NCCR registry participants Call for Data. Data Jamboree: Enhancing Childhood Cancer Data Sharing…

CBTRUS and Cancer Registries: 35 Years of Collaboration

By Carol Kruchko | October 27, 2025

We couldn’t have done it without you! This sums up our relationship with the surveillance community, its stakeholders, and its supporting community. For over 35 years, the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS) has worked with you to quantify the burden of brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors on the…

NAACCR Education and Training Upcoming Events

By Angela Martin | May 4, 2026

NAACCR ODS Exam Prep and Review Registration is open for the Summer 2026 ODS Exam Prep and Review series. The series begins May 12, 2026. If you or someone you know is eligible to sit for the exam and are looking to prepare, join us for the Summer 2026 ODS Exam Prep and Review series.…

National Childhood Cancer Registry (NCCR) Spring Feature

By Fernanda Michels | April 27, 2026

The NCCR Spring Feature highlights the SEER*Stat Tools Webinar, promotes an NCI Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) funding opportunity, and presents usage statistics from the NCCR Data Platform. This edition also features upcoming CCDI webinars, the 2026 NAACCR Conference, and the 2026 NCI Data Jamboree. SEER*Stat Tools Webinar From Data to Discovery:…

Looking to the Future: Changes Approved for 2027 NAACCR Data Standards

By Stephanie M. Hill, MPH, CTR, NAACCR | April 13, 2026

As we move into Spring, many cancer registries are preparing to begin 2026 abstracting, but registry standard setters are already looking ahead to 2027 – and beyond! The High-Level Strategic Group (HLSG) voted last month on changes to the NAACCR Data Standards and Data Dictionary (Standards) for use beginning with the 2027 diagnosis year (NAACCR v27). NAACCR…

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OUR MISSION

Actionable content that unites cancer registries.

The Narrative strives to provide you with information you can use to enhance and strengthen your cancer registry. Look to the Narrative for the latest cancer surveillance news, trends, advances in technology, and latest educational opportunities.

OUR VISION

Make every cancer count.

Cancer affects thousands of people across North America every year. Each cancer case must contribute to our knowledge and understanding so that we may reduce the burden of these diseases. Narrative provides a platform for the cancer surveillance community to collaborate and share data that will improve health outcomes.

CANCER REGISTRY SPOTLIGHT: MICHIGAN

Successful Linkage Between Registry Database and LexisNexis

In our ongoing commitment to enhance the quality and accessibility of data, we are thrilled to announce the successful linkage between our registry database and LexisNexis. This integration represents a significant step forward in streamlining our data processes and expanding our analytical capabilities.